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served concerning the discipline and organization of 
the janissaries in barracks at Constantinople. 
The Sultans, in order to counterbalance the power 
of the janissaries, have armed the men employed in 
their gardens and pleasure houses, and have formed 
them into a sort of body-guard under the name of 
Bostandjis or Gardeners. This corps, comprising some 
thousands of men, has sometimes done important ser- 
vice; but in a revolt the men usually join the janis- 
saries, who are the strongest force: this counterpoise 
becomes thus useless to the Sultan, as was the case 
in the revolution in which the unfortunate Selim the 
Third was dethroned. 
The corps of gunners and bombardiers is com- 
posed of forty- eight companies, well organized; but 
as there are in the batteries several ancient gun-car- 
riages with wheels made of planks, and very un- 
wieldy, as there are also enormous culverins, cannons 
of a monstrous calibre planted on the ground for the 
purpose of firing stone balls, and as there are cannons 
with several mouths, no very favourable idea can be 
formed of their engineering science and skill, since 
they are actually employing for the service of pieces 
almost useless, men and ammunition which would be 
very effective if the guns were of an ordinary calibre 
and well mounted. 
The other troops that compose the Ottoman forces 
in time of war, consist of squadrons of armed men 
more or less numerous, which the different provinces 
send to the army; adventurers or volunteers, who wish 
to try their fortune; fanatics in good earnest, or those 
who from interest appear such; and lastly, the contin- 
gent of armed men that certain freeholders are then 
obliged to bring into the field. 
